The basic story of Sarvam Thaala Maayam is very simple and straight. It is what happens when the two different worlds of Peter Johnson (GV Prakash) and Palakollu Ramasastry (Nedumudi Venu) meet through the common connection of classical music. How their journey ends forms the story.

Performances:

GV Prakash is becoming a more matured performer over the years. It has helped him to expand his movie choices as well, as initially, he was more into the youth-only kind of flicks. Sarvam Thaala Mayam offers GV Prakash something profound and memorable, and he makes it work effortlessly.

Nedumudi Venu is brilliant and arrests the audience interest with his performance. It is a complicated and difficult character in a literal sense. The seasoned actor performs it in such a delightful manner that we can’t help but be wowed by its aura despite the expected reservations the character throws up initially. Whenever, he is onscreen, the entire attention shifts to him.

Aparna Balamurali is the heroine, but it is not a typical one. She has a couple of songs with the hero, but they are part of the narrative rather than musical fantasia inserted into the story just for the sake of it. The character of Aparna, unknowingly and knowingly, helps the lead take the right discourse and is therefore integral to the story.

Vineeth is adequate and plays out his part with confidence and ease. He perfectly portrayed his emotions as an envious 'Sishya'. Santha Dhananjayan is charming, and its put to great use in small moments. Divyadharshini is her usual self. Sumesh Narayanan and others are apt for their parts.

Highlights :

Wonderful Cast

Screenplay

Direction

Classical Music Backdrop

First Half

Drawbacks :

Gets slow at parts in the second half

Analysis:

Rajiv Menon's magic is still there, and it comes across wonderfully well through the visuals. But, more than the visuals, it is the way he captures emotions which is a delight. Along with 'Sarvam Thaala Mayam','Maaya Maaya' songs which were composed by AR Rahman, 'Darijera Deevinchu' song composed by Rajiv Menon is so soothing and equally good onscreen too with vibrant visuals.

Sarvam Thaala Maayam could easily have been a heavy, overbearing drama given its content. The success of the director lies in the fact that he keeps the proceedings simple and light despite the heaviness on offer. Even the “reality” bites portions are dealt in an easily palpable, classy and understandable manner without making the audience flinch in aversion.

The first half successfully establishes the various threads related to the two different worlds of Peter and Palakollu Ramasastry. The sequences flow naturally, and we are immersed in the whole beauty of it. The Carnatic portions, all the scenes involving Nedumudi Venu are an instant classic.

The momentum is carried out in the second half with the title song sequence taking the narrative to a high point. It is maintained that way and ends with a musically uplifting climax that is sure to fill the hearts with positivity and love towards classical music. The message it passes regarding the ever-evolving music is a well thought out and in tune with the latest developments.

Musically, Sarvam Thaala Mayam is a delight with AR Rahman again giving his best to Rajiv Menon. The songs are used superbly in the narrative along with beautiful recreations of the classic Carnatic Keerthanas. The ‘mrudangam’ bits give us a feeling of bliss the way the director intended them. The cinematography by Ravi Yadav is fantastic. Anthony provides a crisp feel to the film with his editing. Latha Menon and Rajiv Menon deserve all the appreciation for conceiving and backing a project like this on classical music and its relevance in modern times. Rajiv Menon's attempt of making a pure film depicting values and true traditions based on music is laudable. He is the real hero of 'Sarvam Thaala Mayam'.